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China explains their ‘silence’ over research ship issue in Sri Lanka (Pics)

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A top Chinese diplomat in Sri Lanka has said that some countries consider Sri Lanka’s barring of scientific research vessels including those from China, as a diplomatic victory.

Speaking during an interactive session with a group of journalists at the Colombo Port City yesterday (Sep. 12), Deputy Chief of the Chinese embassy in Colombo, Yanwei Zhu said that widespread public concern was raised on Chinese social media over the matter, wondering as to why Sri Lanka, as a friendly nation, had taken such a measure.

Mr. Yanwei said that China fully respects the decision of Sri Lanka as an independent and sovereign nation.

However, he said that there is an issue whether the decision was actually made by the Sri Lanka government independently or otherwise.

“Another issue is whether this decision is made by Sri Lanka government independently or because of outside pressure. To be honest, we heard a lot of rumours… When Sri Lanka government made such a decision, China kept silent… Because we respect our friend… We understand the difficult situation our friend has been facing since last two years. Because some countries took advantage of the difficulty of Sri Lanka and gave a lot of pressure to our Sri Lankan friends,” he said.

We do not want to put our friends in an awkward situation. Therefore we kept silent, he said.

However ‘some friends’ considered the decision to bar scientific research vessels as a ‘diplomatic victory’, Mr. Yanwei said.

History and future will prove to our Sri Lankan friends that China is the real good friend and partner and we are ready to walk together with Sri Lanka, he added.

He also pointed out that the research onboard such vessels are not done alone by China but done in collaboration with Sri Lanka, which lacks the capacity to conduct such research on its own.

He questioned which other country with the capacity and willingness has stepped into conduct joint research in this manner with Sri Lanka.

Without the permission of Sri Lanka, the information of this research cannot be shared with anyone, he emphasized.

Addressing the event, Chinese ambassador in Sri Lanka – Mr. Qi Zhenhong reiterated that the friendship between China can be traced back to 2,000 years.

Speaking on the upcoming election in Sri Lanka, the ambassador further said that if the new government is prepared to strengthen ties with China, they are always willing to remain open to promote friendship and cooperation.

(Pics : Kelum Shivantha | Shanika Jayasekara)

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Govt. urged to cap mask & sanitiser prices

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The National Consumers’ Front (NCF) Chairman Asela Sampath has called on the Government to impose a controlled price on surgical masks and sanitisers, warning of a potential health crisis.

He said this during a media briefing.

Pointing out that the current price of a surgical face mask has increased to Rs. 50, he urged it to be reduced to Rs.10.

Although manufacturers have cited increased costs of raw materials as the reason, Sampath has emphasised that it is the responsibility of the government to intervene immediately.

“If the government does not reduce the prices of raw materials used to produce these essential items, the public will be forced to stop using them risking the onset of another pandemic-like disaster,” he warned.

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Several senior police officers transferred

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The National Police Commission has approved a series of immediate transfers and appointments affecting several senior police officers.

Senior Superintendent Of Police M.S. Mohan Lal has been appointed as the Director of Investigations at the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). He currently serves as CIABOC. He previously served as the SSP in charge of the Financial Crimes Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The list of transfers and appointments is as follows:

  1. Senior Superintendent of Police M.S. Mohanlal – From the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, as Director (Investigations) of that Commission
  2. Superintendent of Police A.S.K. Bandara – from Ampara Division to the Criminal Investigation Department
  3. Assistant Superintendent of Police W.T. Anuranga – from Mount Lavinia Division to the Criminal Investigation Department
  4. Assistant Superintendent of Police B.L.A. Prasanna – from Elpitiya Division to Nugegoda Division
  5. Assistant Superintendent of Police M.D.P. Deepthi Kumara – From Nugegoda Division to Elpitiya Division
  6. Chief Inspector of Police J.D.D.C. Jayakody – from the post of OIC of Balangoda Police to Badulla Division for general duties.
  7. Chief Inspector of Police W.D.K.C. Navaratne – to perform duties as OIC of Balangoda Police Station from Colombo Central Division.
  8. Chief Inspector of Police R.P.C.U. Rajapaksa – to perform the duties of the post of OIC of the Udawalawe Police Station from the Human Resources Management Division.
  9. Chief Inspector of Police B.P.L. Fernando – transferred from the post of Inspector of Police, Gampola Headquarters to Batticaloa Division for general duties.
  10. Chief Inspector of Police K.M.D.N.D. Kangara – From the post of OIC of Delft Police to the post of Inspector of Police, Gampola Headquarters
  11. Chief Inspector of Police K.W.C.N. Abeynarayana – from the post of OIC of Ankumbura Police to the post of OIC of Delft Police
  12. Chief Inspector of Police S.S.K.Rathnayake – To perform the duties of the post of OIC of Ankumbura Police from Matale Division
  13. Chief Inspector of Police D.G.S. Wijesinghe – transferred from the post of OIC of Nawa Kurunduwatta Police to Gampaha Division for general duties
  14. Police Inspector M.H.N. Tharaka – As OIC of Poovarasankulam Police from the post of OIC of Bemmulla Police
  15. Inspector of Police S.M.N.N. Siripathi – As OIC of Bemmulla Police Station from Negombo Division

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Govt to recruit 10,000 retired soldiers to Police

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The Ministry of Public Security plans to recruit 10,000 individuals under the age of 45 who have legally retired from active military service into the police force.

Public Security Minister – Ananda Wijepala announced this during the opening of the Thambutthegama Superintendent of Police office.

He had stated that a Cabinet Paper seeking approval to recruit these ex-military personnel for a 05 year period will be submitted to the Cabinet today (June 09).

Meanwhile, he also revealed that approximately 7,880 children have been identified as being at risk of drug abuse.

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